Hayao Miyazaki Is Creating a Magical Nature Park Inspired By His Cherished Films

Filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki continually demonstrates his love of nature through the art of filmmaking. Now, he's looking to take this same enthusiasm and apply it to the real world. In a matter of two years, the Japanese artist hopes to open a nature park called The Forest Where the Wind Returns. This public area will serve as a place where children can play and reinvigorate their five senses in the midst of nature. Rather than building manmade playgrounds, Miyazaki wants the 10,000 square meters of surrounding land to serve as the children's recreational area. In doing so, the iconic director hopes to share his love for Mother Nature with the next generation.

To fund the project, Miyazaki is contributing $2.5 million of his own money. In addition to the natural play area, the park will house a 2-story building that contains a library and sleeping quarters. To make this ecological dream a reality, the filmmaker is working with design firm Kume Creation to establish the nature park on Okinawa's Kume Island.